2018 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Robe. Classically built, it begins with scents of mint, cigar box and cassis, later adding nuances of olive and chocolate. It's medium to full-bodied, with a smooth, silky yet unyielding feel on the palate, and it ends in a wash of dusty tannins. While approachable now, cellaring 2-3 years should result in greater harmony, and this admirably concentrated wine appears capable of aging well for more than a decade.

Launched with the 1990 vintage in 1993, Bin 407 was developed in response to the increasing availability of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit then. Inspired by Bin 707, Bin 407 offers varietal definition and approachability, yet still with structure and depth of flavour. Blended from Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Robe fruit. Acidity 6.9 g/l, pH 3.58. Aged for 12 months in French oak (21% new) and American oak (9% new) hogsheads. A relatively dry winter and spring, coupled with slightly above-average temperatures, indicated an early start to the growing season. Overall warm conditions prevailed with optimal conditions for flowering and fruit set. Barossa Valley experienced 22 days of temperatures greater than 35 °C, while McLaren Vale experienced 17, with a maximum of 42.1 °C on 18 January. Coonawarra experienced 13 days over 35 °C coupled with below average rainfall. Late flowering and the onset of veraison delayed harvest by a few weeks, a pattern that also played out in Wrattonbully, Padthaway and Robe. The warm autumn conditions leading into harvest ensured Cabernet Sauvignon achieved 'ample ripeness with well-rounded tannins and tremendous varietal flavour. All up, an exceptional vintage for the variety'. Dark shaded crimson. Very varietal nose – blackcurrant pastilles! Lovely palate entry. Just sidles into the mouth, but perhaps it's a little less dense and complex than some. Very refreshing though. Somehow this multi-regional blend seems to succeed more than the Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28. There's some energy to it. (JR)